Overweight hypothesis in asthma and eczema in young adolescents

doi:10.1157/13094027

Allergologia et Immunopathologia

Volume 34, Issue 5, October 2006, Pages 199-205

https://doi.org/10.1157/13094027 Get rights and content

Abstract

Background

A positive association between body mass index (BMI) and allergic diseases has recently been suggested; however the sex-dependence of this association remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between BMI and asthma and eczema, as well as its sex-dependence in young adolescents.

Methods

Self-reported data obtained through the standardized International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase Three written questionnaires of 2926 young adolescents aged 13-14 years old from randomly selected schools in Skopje (Republic of Macedonia) were used. The BMI for each individual was calculated and used-both unadjusted and adjusted for confounding factors-as a variable for analysis. The international cut-off points for BMI for overweight and obesity by sex and age were used. Because of the very low prevalence of obesity (1.5 %), obese respondents were included in the overweight group. The data were statistically analyzed by the chi-square test, the t-test for independent samples and odds ratios (OR, 95 % CI) in binary logistic regression.

Results

Being overweight was significantly associated with an increased risk of having a dry night cough without a cold or chest infection (adjusted OR: 1.54; 95 % CI: 1.09-2.16; p = 0.01) and with having had self-reported asthma at some time (adjusted OR: 2.36; 95% CI: 1.02-5.44; p = 0.04) in boys only. A significant association between overweight and other symptoms of asthma or atopic eczema was not established.

Conclusion

These findings suggest a male-specific positive association between overweight and a current dry night cough and having received a diagnosis of asthma at some time. No association was found with other asthma symptoms or atopic eczema in young adolescents.

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Original articlesOverweight hypothesis in asthma and eczema in young adolescents

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol

J Allergy Clin Immunol

Chest

Aust N Z J Public Health

Continued increase in the prevalence of asthma and atopy

Arch Dis Child

Are asthma and allergies in children and adolescents increasing? Results from ISAAC phase I and phase III surveys in Münster, Germany

Allergy

Trends in growth and obesity in ethnic groups in Britain

Arch Dis Child

Association between obesity and asthma in 4-11 year old children in the UK

Thorax

Is obesity a risk factor for childhood asthma?

Allergy

Birth weight, body mass index and asthma in young adults

Thorax

Obesity and the risk of newly diagnosed asthma in school-age children

Am J Epidemiol

Relation of body mass index to asthma and atopy in children: the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study III

Thorax

Complex interactions in complex traits: obesity and asthma

Thorax

Obesity and asthma: evidence for and against a causal relation

J Asthma

Original articles
Overweight hypothesis in asthma and eczema in young adolescents